TEXAS RANGERS CLIPS –July 17, 2012
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TEXAS RANGERS CLIPS –July 17, 2012 TEXASRANGERS.COM Feliz makes headway in first rehab start By Christian Corona 07/16/12 FRISCO, Texas -- Neftali Feliz's first rehab start was pushed back to Monday in Double-A Frisco after his scheduled outing with Triple-A Round Rock got rained out Sunday. When Feliz took the mound in a game for the first time in nearly two months, he got off to a shaky start against Double-A San Antonio. The right-hander retired the first batter he faced, but he walked two of the next three. Then Edinson Rincon hit a ground ball up the middle that was backhanded by second baseman Leury Garcia, who threw across his body and wide of first baseman Chris McGuinness. That infield single allowed Dean Anna to score an unearned run off Feliz on a play that could have ended the inning. With runners on the corners, Feliz fanned Ali Solis, his second strikeout of the inning, to prevent any further damage. "I had a long time without pitching off a mound in a live game," Feliz said. "But I was trying to practice on all my pitches, not only offspeed pitches. I was trying to get outs as quick as I could." Feliz was much more efficient in the second inning. Feliz retired the side and struck out the last two hitters he faced, getting Rymer Liriano looking at a 79-mph curveball while Jeudy Valdez couldn't hold up his check swing on a 77-mph curve in the dirt. After throwing 29 pitches in the first inning, Feliz threw only 11 in the second, all but one for a strike. With his fastball topping out at 96 mph, he threw 40 pitches on the night, 25 for strikes, fanning four and walking two. "I was just trying to locate my pitches low and for strikes," Feliz said. "That's what I did in the second inning." Feliz's first rehab start was originally scheduled for Sunday in Triple-A Round Rock, but the Express' series finale against Memphis was rained out. Round Rock headed to Nashville, Tenn., on Monday as Feliz made his way to Frisco to begin his rehab assignment there. His last appearance was on May 18 against the Astros. Feliz, who is 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA, was placed on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation three days later. "I feel good about my arm," Feliz said. "Throwing faster, I know I can do that at any time when I'm completely healthy. I was just trying to keep my pitches low. I wasn't trying to be overpowering." His second rehab start is set for Friday in Round Rock, when he will throw three innings. Feliz will likely make at least two more Minor League starts after this week. Express pitching coach Terry Clark said this weekend that Feliz would throw four or five innings in his third rehab start and around six innings in his fourth, although nothing has been finalized. It's unclear yet whether Feliz will come back to the Rangers as a starter or reliever, although he is preparing during his rehab assignment to return to the rotation. "Nobody has said anything," Feliz said. "The first thing I want to do is be ready. I started the season as a starter, but, where they are and where I am, I'm trying to help the team any way I can." Feliz first threw off a mound two weeks ago when the Rangers were in Chicago for a three-game series against the White Sox, and his last bullpen session came on July 9 at the team's facility in the Dominican Republic. He threw 54 pitches during live batting practice Thursday in Arlington, facing Alberto Gonzalez, Brandon Snyder, Leonys Martin and Mitch Moreland, who has been on the DL with a strained hamstring since June 22. He is one of five Rangers pitchers currently on the disabled list, although reinforcements are expected soon. Alexi Ogando (strained groin) and Koji Uehara (strained lat), who both completed rehab assignments in Round Rock on Saturday, are expected to be activated Tuesday, while Colby Lewis (forearm tightness) is scheduled to start for the Rangers on Wednesday against the A's. FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM Neftali Feliz takes another step toward return with two-inning stint in Frisco By Jon Poorman 07/16/12 FRISCO -- Texas Rangers right-hander Neftali Feliz took another step in his rehab toward the big leagues Monday night, pitching two innings for the Double A Frisco RoughRiders . Feliz, who has been on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation, gave up one hit, one run and two walks while striking out four of the nine batters he faced in his first rehab start. Twenty-five of his 40 pitches went for strikes. "I was trying to keep my pitches low and, of course, throw strikes," he said. "I had gone a long time without pitching from the mound, but I was trying to practice all of my pitches." Feliz said the goal of his rehab is to return to the Rangers as soon as possible. However, he doesn't know if he will be brought back as a starter or reliever. "The first thing is to be healthy," he said. "I want to be ready to help the team. I'm trying to be ready as soon as I can and help the team in any way. I haven't been told anything. "I just have to do my rehab and work to get healthy and be better. All I know is my next outing is on Friday at Round Rock." Feliz is scheduled to pitch three innings Friday for the Triple A Express. He is 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA in eight games, including seven starts, with the Rangers. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list on June 16. The Rangers' pitching staff is approaching a return to full health. Alexi Ogando (right groin) and Koji Uehara (right lat) are expected back in the bullpen tonight as the Rangers begin a two- game series in Oakland. Colby Lewis (forearm tendinitis) is scheduled to start Wednesday. Feliz likely would move to the bullpen if Roy Oswalt continues to solidify his spot in the rotation after a couple of rough starts. Week that was, week that is for Rangers By Jeff Wilson 07/16/12 The Rangers played only three games last week, though it seems like half the clubhouse was at the 83rd All-Star Game on Tuesday in Kansas City. That didn't go real well, and the Rangers didn't do anything outstanding in the American League's 8-0 loss to the National League. The one Rangers All-Star who fared the worst, though, is the one who fared the best as the second half resumed at Seattle. The Rangers took 2 of 3 from the Mariners, who were saved by Felix Hernandez's dominating performance Saturday in a 7-0 victory against Yu Darvish. Rangers lefty Matt Harrison, who allowed a three-spot in the All-Star Game, returned the favor with a five-hit shutout Sunday as the Rangers won 4-0. Derek Holland tossed 7 1/3 shutout innings Friday before Joe Nathan avoided disaster in the ninth of a 3-2 win. The series victory at Safeco Field allowed the Rangers to boost their AL Weat lead to five games. The road doesn't get any easier this week, despite two off days. The Rangers are off today before playing the next two at Oakland, which is 9-1 in July. The A's are hitting better than they are pitching, which is really stunning. Roy Oswalt and Colby Lewis will try to cool them off, and the returns of Alexi Ogando and Koji Uehara to the bullpen might also help stop Oakland. Another off day arrives Thursday ahead of a three-game series at second-place Anaheim. The Angels will have had no rest since the All-Star break, which could play in the Rangers' favor. While they'll tee up Holland, Darvish and Harrison, the Angels could send Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Garrett Richards to the mound. Meanwhile, the Rangers will have scouts spread out across the majors in advance of the July 31 trade deadline. Rangers scouts have watched starters Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke and Ryan Dempster. By default, they have also seen outfielders Shane Victorino and Justin Upton. To obtain Hamels, Greinke or Upton, the Rangers would likely have to put together a package that includes their top prospects. The Rangers don't seem too keen on that, especially for two-month rentals like Hamels and Greinke, but have enough organizational depth behind Jurckison Profar, Mike Olt and Martin Perez to put together a strong bid. One Rangers player, though, said they don't need any deadline additions barring a significant injury over the next two weeks. But it would be completely out of character for general manager Jon Daniels to not have scouts doing the work just in case. As in, just in case there is an injury. Or, just in case they decide that Oswalt isn't the answer in the rotation. Or, just in case the Rangers decide that they'd rather see a player fall to them than the Angels. While the attention is on the big names available, some of Daniels' best moves the past two years have been lower-profile deals for Bengie Molina, Jeff Francoeur and Mike Gonzalez.